Thermally unconditioned beverage preparation machine

Abstract

A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (3) has a beverage processing unit (10, 20) formed of a first processing unit member (10) and a second processing unit member (20) that delimit a chamber (21) and that are movable between a distant configuration in which a flavouring ingredient (2) is received in the chamber (21) and a proximate configuration in which the flavouring ingredient (2) is held and mixed with water (4) in the chamber (21). The machine includes: a water source for delivering the water (4) towards the beverage processing unit (10, 20); and a water guide (30) extending from the water source into the beverage processing unit (10, 20) arranged such that substantially all the water (4) delivered into the chamber (21) for preparing the beverage (3) is guided by the water guide (30). The water source and the water guide (30) are thermally passive so as to deliver the water (4) into the chamber (21) unconditioned by any active thermal conditioner of such machine (1).

1 . A machine for preparing a beverage from a flavouring ingredient comprising:
 a beverage processing unit formed of a first processing unit member and a second processing unit member that delimit a chamber and that are movable between a distant configuration in which the flavouring ingredient is received in the chamber, and a proximate configuration in which the flavouring ingredient is held and mixed with the water in the chamber during beverage preparation, optionally the flavouring ingredient being supplied into the chamber within a capsule;   a water source for delivering the water towards the beverage processing unit such as a connector to be connected to a water supply line external to such machine and/or a water supply tank that has an outside opening -for water filling with a water source external to such machine; and   a water guide extending from the water source into the beverage processing unit arranged such that substantially all the water delivered into the chamber for preparing the beverage is guided by the water guide,   the water source and the water guide are thermally passive so as to deliver the water into the chamber unconditioned by any active thermal conditioner of such machine.   
     
     
         2 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the water guide, are configured such that the water is driven along the water guide into the chamber by gravity and/or capillary and/or gas pressure and/or depression forces, the water guide. 
     
     
         3 . The machine of  claim 2 , wherein the water guide extends uprightly from the processing unit to the water source, such as to a bottom part of the water source. 
     
     
         4 . The machine of  claim 2 , wherein the beverage processing unit is configured such that, during beverage preparation, the flavouring ingredient-containing capsule is depressurized at least adjacent to an inlet at an extremity of the water guide to draw the water from the water source via the water guide into the capsule. 
     
     
         5 . The machine of  claim 4 , wherein the processing unit is configured to cause such depression by:
 modifying a volume of the capsule, when present, and/or chamber, e.g. expanding the volume; and   centrifugally driving the capsule, when present, and/or chamber, e.g. about an axis that intercepts or is collinear or is adjacent to the inlet.   
     
     
         6 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the water source is configured to deliver the water under pressure into the water guide. 
     
     
         7 . The machine of  claim 1 , which comprises a support structure which has a base that is stationary during beverage preparation, wherein the water guide comprises a valve arrangement for controlling, such as interrupting or allowing, a flow of the water along the water guide. 
     
     
         8 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein one of the processing unit members is provided with a cavity delimiting the chamber, the first and second processing unit members in their distant configuration being configured for direct manual insertion into, and optionally direct manual removal out of, the cavity of the flavouring ingredient. 
     
     
         9 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the water source is configured to contain a limited amount of the water that corresponds to a maximum amount needed for a serving. 
     
     
         10 . The machine of  claim 1 , which is configured to deliver the beverage at a temperature below 30° C. such as below 25° C. 
     
     
         11 . The machine of  claim 1 , which is configured to deliver the water from the water source into the chamber at an average rate for a beverage serving in the range of 10 to 300 ml/min. 
     
     
         12 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the beverage processing unit is arranged in order to rotate the chamber at a speed in the range of 500 to 10000 RPM, to prepare the beverage. 
     
     
         13 . A combination of a machine as defined in  claim 1  and a flavouring ingredient for preparing a beverage from the flavouring ingredient in the machine. 
     
     
         14 . A method of preparing a beverage by mixing water with a flavouring ingredient in a machine for preparing a beverage from a flavouring ingredient comprising:
 a beverage processing unit formed of a first processing unit member and a second processing unit member that delimit a chamber and that are movable between a distant configuration in which the flavouring ingredient is received in the chamber and a proximate configuration in which the flavouring ingredient is held and mixed with the water in the chamber during beverage preparation, optionally the flavouring ingredient being supplied into the chamber within a capsule;   a water source for delivering the water towards the beverage processing unit, such as a connector to be connected to a water supply line external to such machine and/or a water supply tank that has an outside opening for water filling with a water source external to such machine; and   a water guide extending from the water source into the beverage processing unit arranged such that substantially all the water delivered into the chamber for preparing the beverage is guided by the water guide,   the water source and the water guide are thermally passive so as to deliver the water into the chamber unconditioned by any active thermal conditioner of such machine.   
     
     
         15 . (canceled)